Rob van de Meulenhof and Linda Gielen focus on sustainable business within Bullseye Group: Print, Packaging & Publishing. They are the entrepreneurs who answer this month's 'five questions to'.

1. Why are you engaged in sustainable business?

Sustainable business is woven into the foundation and bedrock of the entire organization. For us, it means being conscious of all your processes, from production to people. We feel responsible for the footprint we leave behind. Our mission is therefore to leave the world more beautiful than when we started.

Bullseye Group, for example, uses alternative papers. Where FSC approved paper was already among our standard options, we are taking it a step further by releasing paper made from tree cutting as much as possible. 

The paper industry is responsible for about 14% of global deforestation. The more trees that are cut down, the more CO2 is released and the faster the earth will warm up. But animals are also severely affected. Bullseye Print therefore uses paper made from agricultural waste, such as the leaves and stems (Paperwise), among others.

2. How does this work in practice?

Bullseye Packaging uses paperboard made from grass, among other things. We always offer a wide selection of paper types. We also tell about the origin of the paper, to raise awareness with the customer. In this way our customers consciously choose a certain type of paper or cardboard. By sharing their story we make them ambassadors of sustainable and circular printing. This entrepreneur can then apply this in their own CSR strategies.

Our digital printing process is equipped with 'food approved' toners, which are not harmful to humans and the environment and contain no plastics. Ideal for printed materials that come into contact with the food that humans consume. Bullseye Group uses it throughout its production process, so that each book, flyer or package can leave our premises in a responsible manner.

3. What will it take to accelerate the path to a sustainable society?

'Consume' is, in our view, one of the keys to a sustainable society. Purchase only what you need to consume, and consume only what you need. Bullseye Group works on the basis of printing on demand (POD), thus avoiding overproduction and unnecessary destruction. Personal contact is of great importance here. Because we talk to our customers, we are able to listen sincerely to their questions and advise and think along with them as experts. This creates more possibilities and better quality. The second key is personal contact. Instead of (large-scale) ordering via the Internet, experience and advice from an expert is important in order to achieve a sustainable solution. 

Our tip? "Practise what you preach! If you have a business that is involved in sustainability, make sure your business is also sustainably designed. For example, if you grow organic vegetables, you can't wrap them in plastic. It would negate your intention and message. We can move mountains if we all put into practice what is necessary for a more sustainable society.

4. What do you contribute to a smarter, more sustainable and healthier Limburg?

With regional collaborations and connections, we make Limburg healthy and strong. By promoting and sharing our mission and vision, we ensure that the Limburg entrepreneur is aware of alternative production processes. Conscious production of digital printing is not about 'dirtying paper'. It is about producing what is needed without overcapacity. It's about quality and not quantity. It's about combating tree cutting and deforestation and replacing plastic packaging, among other things, with paper made from renewable resources and/or waste.

Every day, both in business and in life, we let a variety of print materials slip through our hands. This is true and will always remain so. As business owners, we simply have to package our products, get our message out, announce our event, and tout our product/service. There are a variety of reasons, but it is ultimately up to us to determine the way we wish it to be produced.

5. Why shiftLimburg? And what can this platform do for you?

Bullseye Group joined shiftLimburg to make connections with entrepreneurs who look at the world through the same sustainable lens. By joining hands and working together for a more sustainable world, we can make a big difference.

Would you like to introduce your product/service to us, seeing a possible addition or collaboration? We are always looking for partners to innovate with!